The Forgotten “Student” in “Student– Athlete”: Why a New Cause of Action Is Needed To Remind Universities that Education Comes First
By Jacob Abrahamian*Full Article.I. IntroductionIn January 2019, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) found the University of Missouri guilty of academic misconduct and imposed severe penalties on its football, baseball, and softball programs.[1] A two-year investigation by the NCAA revealed that a tutor had completed academic coursework for twelve of Missouri’s student–athletes, including having completed an entire course for one student.[2] The penalties were harsh; the NCAA banned each program for one year, vacated records from when the twelve athletes participated, reduced scholarship money, restricted recruiting, and imposed fines, among other punishments.[3] After an appeal, the NCAA upheld its sanctions in full.[4] Fans of the Missouri Tigers were outraged by the decision, but not because they doubted that violations had occurred.[5] In fact, Missouri officials admitted to the misconduct.[6]Instead, the…